Ukrainian Defence Forces show US M864 cluster artillery shells for the first time
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have already received and are using US cluster munitions. Analysts of @UAWeapons published the first photo with ammunition, thanks to which it became known that the US has transferred M864 artillery shells of 155 mm calibre to Ukraine.
Here's What We Know
M864 is an American cluster projectile, which has a maximum launch range of almost 30 kilometres. The Ukrainian Defence Forces have several 155mm howitzers in service, including the US M109 Paladin and M777, which can use cluster munitions.
#Ukraine: The first photo of 155mm cluster projectiles that were recently transferred by the US in Ukrainian service.
- ???????? Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) July 24, 2023
We can see ???????? M864 extended range (29km) base-bleed projectiles, each carrying 72 dual-purpose submunitions. Normally these rounds are treated as war reserve. pic.twitter.com/nMobQqqk80V
Production of the M864 began in 1987. The projectile contains 72 DPICM (dual-purpose improved conventional munition) submunitions. The number of submunitions was reduced compared to the M483A1, as some space and weight was allocated to the gas generator to increase the range of fire.
The M864 contains M42 and M46 DPICMs in numbers of 48 and 24 respectively. The former are characterised by rifling, which enhances fragmentation. The M42 and M46 are each 82.55 mm long and weigh 208 g and 213 g respectively.
Source: @UAWeapons
